HMRC making online services safer

From September 2017, HMRC will make it a requirement for all businesses using their online tax accounts to register for 2 Step Verification (2SV) – if not already using it. The result of this minor change means greater security for customers and a safer experience when using our online services.

Users logging into their tax accounts from September will be asked to register for 2SV – it is quick and easy to setup.

What is 2SV?

2SV is a way of adding a layer of security to customer’s Government Gateway credentials. Instead of relying on something you ‘know’, like a User ID or Password, we add in the extra factor of something you ‘have’, a mobile or landline.

Is 2SV new?

No it isn’t. The use of 2SV is backed by the National Cyber Security Centre and promoted by Cyber Aware and Action Fraud. 2SV is used widely across well-known brands in the tech industry, it’s also commonly used for online banking.

HMRC began introducing 2SV in December 2015 and, since then, more than 11 million individuals and businesses have successfully set up 2SV to protect their online tax accounts.

Why is HMRC requiring 2SV for businesses?

HMRC takes the protection of customer data extremely seriously. We are a well-known brand because of our unique tax collection role. Similar to other large financial organisations, that makes us an obvious target for fraudsters and cyber criminals.

Threats evolve and change, so we are constantly reviewing our security approach to ensure everything is done to keep businesses secure.